WARSAW, August 8 (RIA Novosti, Leonid Sviridov) - Belarussian border guards refused entrance Monday to a delegation of Polish European Parliament members led by European Parliament Vice-President Jacek Saryusz-Wolski.
The group of four intended to inspect the status of the Polish minority in Belarus and meet with representatives of non-governmental organizations and the Belarusian opposition, namely Vintsuk Vyachorka (the Belarusian People's Front) and Anatoly Lebedko of the United Civil Party.
The delegation was also set to meet with a member of the Polish Union in Belarus at Poland's Consulate in Grodno.
The elections of the new leadership of the Polish Union at its March congress aggravated relations between the two countries. The Belarusian government called the congress illegitimate, which ensued in the countries' expulsion of three diplomats each and Poland's recalling its ambassador for consultations.
Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Mikhnevich told journalists last week that the activities of the new Polish Union leadership were aimed at destabilizing Belarus. He also said Belarus has frequently proposed measures to Poland to resolve the conflict, including consultations on consular issues and border, economic, ecological and cultural cooperation.
